Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson

Series: Scarlett, #1
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: May 1, 2008
Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary
Read it in: 2 days
Source: Own
Challenge: Off the Shelf
Rating: ★★★★
Badges:

Her new summer job comes with baggage
Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene.
When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

My first thoughts on starting this, was that it was definitely interesting. The first page is the start of the first "ACT", there are four acts in the book and each page begins with something that was taken out of a book about the hotel that Scarlett, the main character, lives in. So it added to the story and definitely drags you in curious about the hotel Scarlett lives in, and her family owns.

I've been wanting to read this for a long time, I've read a couple of Maureen's books before and I've either really liked or loved each one. So I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. And I wasn't! It wasn't "OHMYGOD" good, but it was definitely intriguing and fun to read.

Scarlett lives in a hotel that her family own, it's been passed down through the Martin family. It's not the most famous hotel in New York, it's actually one of the lesser ones. Normally they only have a total, if even, of five guests! But Scarlett still loves it. She lives there with her mom, dad, and siblings; older brother Spencer, Older sister Lola, and younger sister Marlene. She is most close with Spencer.

Scarlett was a fun character, at times I wanted to smack her for being so stupid, but she was overall a good and genuine character. I loved her relationship with her family, especially Spencer. I really wish I had an older brother like, Spencer. There would be no frowns around him, as he's an actor and pretty goofy. I know I cracked up a lot at Scarlett and Spencer being around each other. 


I also liked Eric, though times I was suspicious of how nice he was being, and for good reasons. WATCH OUT! But I still do love him. =D He was so nice and gentleman-y. 


Amy, Scarlett's eccentric boss was...eccentric. Very interesting. She bugged me a lot of the time, but she was funny and a great, unique character. I'm looking forward to learning more about each and every one of these characters in the sequel. 


Overall, this was a fun read. It wasn't my favorite, but it is definitely recommendable. It made me smile a lot and really too me out of my head for a while. Scarlett and Spencer get into a lot of trouble and it's fun watching them work it out and then fall head first into yet again another problem. If you haven't read this, you should if you like enjoyable contemporaries that are mostly for fun, no anything too "deep".
                                                                                                                                   

Author Info: Website | Twitter

Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

The sequel is called Scarlett Fever. It was released on February 1, 2010. 

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
(Little Blue Envelopes, #1)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: August 23, 2005
Hardcover: 336 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon  
Source: library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library
Overall:   

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

13 Little Blue Envelopes was a fun, cutesy read. It made me wishful for a long vacation in Europe. *sigh* Ginny got to go on an awesome adventure. I mean, what happened with her Aunt was very sad, but at least she got to learn a bit more about her while she was on the adventure she put together.

I really liked a lot of the people Ginny met along the way, especially Keith. He was really nice. I really liked Richard as well, I think him, Ginny and Keith were my favorite characters. I kind of wish we could of seen some more scenes of Ginny and her Aunt, her Aunt seemed like one of a kind.

The writing was fun to read, I've read a few books by Maureen before, she's a great writer. I'm really curious as to how the sequel to this book will go. I kind of thought that 13 Little Blue Envelopes left off pretty well, other than the fact she didn't get to read the 13th letter, therefore having the sequel present itself. I'm really interested in finding out about that 13th letter. =D

I really liked the plot. I think every high schooler would say "Yes, yes, YES!" to have an adventure like Ginny's, minus everything with her aunt. I think it would be fun to have a set of rules and envelopes to direct the course you travel to and what you do there, though I would like a day or two in each place to just have some free time to do whatever you like when you got what you needed to get done, done. Right? =)

Overall, if you want something just plain out fun to read and cute, go grab this book. It was fun to read, I enjoyed every minute of it.

The cover is okay, but I think I like the new paperback cover way better, plus it fits better with the sequel. =)

The sequel is called The Last Little Blue Envelope. It was released April 26th, 2011.